Coumadin and Heparin Errors

Have you or a loved one suffered an injury due to a Coumadin or Heparin error? If so, you need to reach out to a skilled Baltimore medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible. At Arfaa Law Group, we have significant experience handling complicated medical negligence cases, such as those involving the misuse of Coumadin, Heparin, and other prescription drugs. You can rest assured that we are committed to protecting the interests of victims who have suffered needlessly due to a medical professional’s negligence.

Astonishingly, medical malpractice is the third-leading cause of death in the United States. Medication errors make up nearly 25 percent of these medical malpractice cases across the country. Unfortunately, Heparin is one of five drugs that are most commonly associated with errors in hospitals, along with insulin, morphine, potassium chlorine, and warfarin.

Heparin and Coumadin are two common anticoagulant medications used to prevent clotting in patients with a variety of health issues, including strokes, irregular heart rhythm, and recent hip or knee surgery. These blood thinners can work very well when they are managed properly. Since these drugs have a small therapeutic/toxic ratio, patients must be carefully monitored while receiving the drug. When a doctor administers too much Coumadin or Heparin, it can thin the blood too much, leaving the patient at risk for internal bleeding, bleeding brain injuries, and other serious medical conditions. When a doctor does not administer enough Coumadin or Heparin, the patient is not protected from the health risks that the drug is meant to prevent, such as a blood clot or pulmonary embolism. Other errors related to Coumadin and Heparin include but are not limited to:

• Improper labeling of medication;
• Insufficient blood monitoring;
• Adverse drug interactions; and
• Human errors (such as misreading instructions).

Coumadin and Heparin errors can lead to serious injuries and even a patient’s death. If you have suffered complications due to a blood thinner, it is imperative to determine the cause of the injury. In many cases, medical malpractice is to blame. Medical malpractice takes place when a medical professional fails to adhere to the standard of care that a reasonably competent medical professional would have followed in the same or similar circumstances. In order to win a medical malpractice claim, your lawyer probably will seek to establish that the defendant owed you a duty of care, the defendant failed to meet the standards of the profession, and their careless conduct was a direct and proximate cause of your harm.

Successful Maryland medical malpractice lawsuits can award the injured patient with compensation for medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, and any other losses arising from the malpractice. Each case is unique, and the amount of compensation that a person is entitled to receive will vary depending on the nature and extent of the harm suffered.

Maryland, like other states, has a statute of limitations to set the period of time that someone has to file a medical malpractice claim in civil court. For statute of limitations purposes, the clock normally starts to run when the claim arises. This time refers to the moment at which the plaintiff has a basis to sue. Medical malpractice claims must be filed within three years from the discovery of the injury or five years from the injury, whichever is earlier. However, sometimes when an injury should have been discovered or even when it actually occurred can be more complicated than it initially appears.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of a Coumadin or Heparin error, you need to consult a seasoned prescription error attorney right away. At Arfaa Law Group, we can thoroughly evaluate your claim to determine whether you are eligible to collect compensation from the medical professional accountable for your injuries, as well as possibly the hospital where they occurred. Time is of the essence in these cases, so it is important to act as quickly as possible after a medical injury. For a free case review by a Baltimore attorney, feel free to call 410-889-1850 or contact us online. We represent people throughout the state of Maryland.